I got a new photo toy!

[AndyS]

I just got a desk-top light stand (12-36" ) and a video light. I won't be using it as a video light but rather a smaller (2.5x4" ) more point source studio light. Small enough to fit inside my 40" cube black box 'studio'.

All that black on black is hard to show so I shot another with it in use. What you see here is the light 45 degrees in front of and 60 degrees above the subject. On the right is an aluminum foil reflector to lighten the shadows.

The resulting picture from the above setup.

Different subject same setup.


I think I might have over done the fill reflector so in this last shot I switched the foil for a plain white reflector. The light ratio is more dramatic and the texture is emphasized.


The point in using a smaller light source is to emphasize texture and shape rather than a large soft light that wraps around all the curves and shapes. Needed focus stacking on the last one . . .

[MLAA]

1. These photos are gorgeous. You sure got your money's worth from the black box and your lights!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Wow! I'd say you're definitely getting your money's worth with these new toy....er, tools!

And the photos are just fantastic. I can really see just what you're doing, esp. in the last one with the textures emphasized.

Well done!

[Mousetoescamper]

3. Thanks, Andy! You've got me interested in setting up a home studio. I have some free space in my

house and some tripods and lighting that might work. The cube is something I might consider later, but for now I have a large piece of flat-black fabric that could serve as a two-surface backdrop. I know I'll have some questions for you after I get started.

[AndyS]

4. My first 'studio' was a Uhaul box and I used the sliding glass doors for

a light source. It worked pretty well; classic north light (big and soft wrap around) which is very forgiving. If you have one light, you have one light. If you have one light and a mirror (or aluminum foil) you have two lights!

I eventually made a folding box open on the top and front out of foam board. 28"x28". I make a lot of stuff out of foam board; soft boxes, diffusers etc. Be sure you have a lint roller! Black cloth is a dust magnet.

Studio work is different and has a different work flow. Environmental photography is like: I'm gonna' go out and see what I find then take the best picture I can. Studio is like: oh man, I found this thing and it's really interesting! How do I make it look as cool to everybody else as it does to me?

It can be a lot of fun and thank goodness for digital you can fool around as much as you want on a nothing budget.

I'm here anytime, love to talk photography.

[Mousetoescamper]

5. I usually experiment until I find something that works; wasting time re-inventing the wheel.

Posting photos, entering contests and getting compliments is fun and gratifying, but I'm not learning anything new. Thanks for your generosity.

[Gato Moteado]

6. damn it, andy!

you're making me want to play in the studio but i'm currently in the reserve in cartago and won't get back to my house in golfito for a few days.

you're getting great detail with the setup. one question: do you notice a difference in the quality of reflected light between the foil reflector and a white reflector? my guess is that the white reflector yields softer light, but you're going with the foil reflector because the light from it shows more detail. but, i'm not sure.